Wow, what a read this was! Twisty, complex and totally captivating, The Good Sister is a page turner that I couldn't put down.

Fern and Rose have a bond that only twins do. Fern has sensory processing issues and Rose looks out for her all the time. After being brought up by their cruel mother, and a fateful day that changed their lives when they were twelve, they become so much closer as the years go by.

When Rose and her husband experience fertility issues, Fern decides that she will have a baby via surrogate for Rose and Owen, not knowing where this journey will lead her.

Set in Australia, this book is a great read with superb characters, particularly Fern who I warmed to immediately. There are twists galore in this book which is one of my favourites now of the year. Loved it.

This is a really good book and very well written. The story is about twins Fern and Rose. Something is not quite right about either of them but what a shock at the end of the book. Who is the good sister?

What a book!!!

The good sister takes you on a whirlwind of a journey. We have Fern and Rose, Fern works in her local library and Rose is an interior designer. Fern has a sensory disorder and finds alot of the day to day difficult, the two constants of her life are her sister Rose and the Library So when she thinks her sister needs her help having a baby she takes it upon herself to get pregnant.

There is so much about this book I want to praise! I want to start with the sensitivity around sensory disorders. As someone myself, who has some sensory issues, I found it refreshing to read. If you have never met someone with sensory issues there are a lot of misconceptions but Sally Hepworth really writes well to break all and any stereotypes. Yet there are quite a few funny moments along the way but all written with sensitivity.

We have the two narrators, most of the time we follow Fern and she tells her story so well. It really felt like I was with her throughout the story. Her narration is a tad untrustworthy because she sees the world quite differently. So trying to read between the lines kept me guessing throughout.
Rose's narration is done via diary entries this is where we get to hear more about the girls childhood and how both girls have been affected. The fact that they are twins is almost redundant in the story because they are so different.

With both narration we get a sense something isn’t right . Their views on the world are polar opposite yet they spend so much time together and clearly love each other. So many questions are present throughput the story the biggest one being why was a boy killed and which sister killed him? Right I know I was completely tripped out!


So we have so many elements, a murder, a pregnancy, a marriage, a love story and who is lying?
Once I tried to answer all the questions I realised I needed to just read because I had no idea.

Would i recommend this book? Heck yay! This is by far the best psychological thriller I have read this year. This is how a book in this genre should read!! As with all these books there's twists and turns throughout and honestly with a lot being focused on the pregnancy it takes a while to get crazy but honestly it's all worth It! 5 stars I would give it more if I could. First time reading Sally Hepworth and won't be the last!


Thank you to netgalley, Hodder and Stoughton publishers and Sally Hepworth for the digital advanced copy of the good sisters in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.

I love a book which makes me question the reliability of the narrator(s) and this one didn’t disappoint. The story is related in the present by Fern who is one half of a twin who has sensory overload issues and a written diary by Rose, the other twin who has always protected her challenged sibling. Rose can’t conceive and desperately wants a child while Fern who by her unique logic decides to try to have a baby for her sister. This is a very well written book with obviously a lot of research into the issues surrounding those with such a disability. I will certainly look out for this author again.

So I'm not quite sure what it was... but the first half of this book did not click with me at all. To be completely honest I almost gave up about 30% of the way in. Luckily because it was a pretty short book I decided to finish it on a train journey.
I think it was the way the characters were written, I just thought the main character Fern, I get that the author was writing a character on the spectrum that was essentially undiagnosed and untreated, but the forgetfulness particularly with the dog and calling Rocco Wally constantly even though he initially asked her not to... The whole thing was so unlikeable. Going out to get a man to have sex with her just so she could get pregnant to give her sister a baby??

So luckily I persevered and I actually thought the second half of the book was pretty good. The twist paid off and explained my frustrations in the end, that Rose manipulated Fern's personality and undiagnosed issues (apologies if that isn't the right word) to get what she wanted. It was a pretty visible twist but it didn't take away from it at all and in the end, I actually thought it was a good story.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for the copy.

Fern Castle works in her local library. She has dinner with her twin sister Rose three nights a week. And she avoids crowds, bright lights and loud noises as much as possible. Fern has a carefully structured life and disrupting her routine can be . . . dangerous.

When Rose discovers that she cannot fall pregnant, Fern sees her chance to pay her sister back for everything Rose has done for her. Fern can have a baby for Rose. She just needs to find a father. Simple.

Fern's mission will shake the foundations of the life she has carefully built for herself and stir up dark secrets that she long thought were buried.

This was a page turner right from the start! Complex characters and unpredictable twists! What more can you ask for?

I just loved the way its narrated through the alternative viewpoints between Fern in the present day and Rose, through her past journal entries. Getting to know both of them, makes you wonder, just who is the good sister among them. It’s so brilliantly written that right till the end you keep wondering where is this headed. And the twist was absolutely brilliant!

It is definitely one of the best thrillers I've read this year so far. Highly Recommended!

Thank You to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC!

Thanks so much for letting me read this heart warming story, after all the murder and mystery books I read this one was a refreshing change, loved it.
Fern and Rose are twins, Fern has sensory processing issues, and Rose is always looking after her and telling her what’s best for her.Fern eventually realises that Rose is not only looking out for her but controlling her life.
Fern meets a lovely man called Wally, and Rose is not happy about that.

I

This was not what I was expecting. I though a lovely domestic drama with the two sisters who are so close they dine together several times a week. Its so much darker! I loved the character of Ferne - so cleverly written. Some stunning twists.

Really enjoyed this book and have since purchased a copy for my Mum. Had me so gripped and I found myself wanting to shout out "No!!!" I shall remember this book for a long time and highly recommend. You will not be disappointed.

This is a tough one to write because while I did enjoy this reading experience, this story is not going to stick in my mind. I much prefer other books I have read by this author and can’t see myself remembering this in the future.
The storyline was good, interesting and I found the dual narrative to be well done. The two characters were very distinctive and it was easy to tell who was writing what. But the twists were clear from the start and I wasn’t sure about the representations of certain characters and their problems/ attributes...

It’s worth a read, it’s got some interesting moments and I would recommend it if you’ve enjoyed the author’s writing before. It just didn’t live up to the expectations I had for it.

This book was incredible! Fern's character and the story had me literally shouting at the book! Such an incredible book that had be gripped from the start! This book will stay with me a lot loooooong time!

One of the most gripping reads ever!

Yes, I was looking forward to reading this but damn, that was something else! One of the best thrillers I've read and definitely a great pick for the Goodreads Mystery/Thriller of 2021

A tale of two sisters told from both their POVs, this book makes you question who the real good one is. I loved the the characters and the way characters on the spectrum are portrayed.

But my only problem and the reason for docking half a star is because the (mild spoiler) bad things the antagonist does being attributed to BPD. Please, please edit this as people with borderline personality disorder already face enough backlash from both the general public and the mental health community. BPD does not make you manipulative or a sociopath.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Hodder Books for an e-copy of this book. I cannot wait to read more of Sally Hepworth's books.

4.5/5

Thank you Netgalley & publisher for this advanced copy of this book.

Unfortunately I was hoping for an audio version as I am visually impaired and the version of this pdf means I am struggling to increase font to read

I look forward to an audio version as i was very excited as it looks great!

Sorry and thank you once again for the opportunity.

Fern and Rose are so close they are almost one person, but behind that bond is a tale of dysfunction. Just who is actually the good sister of the 2 of them? Easy and captivating read with a nice twist near the end, well worth a read.

Fern and Rose are twins who had an unstable childhood and have become very different characters. Fern has Asperger and lives a very structured quiet life and Rose looks out for her, perhaps to the point of suppressing her. Fern finds out Rose is struggling to become pregnant and decides perhaps she could have a baby for her. But first she needs to find a father. When Wally enters her life unexpectedly, her life subtly begins to change. I enjoyed this story, and seeing Fern begin to blossom.

3.5 stars!

This was a quick read with amazing twist! I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. Just to clear, any book I give 3 stars is a good read for me. I loved Fern’s character; her being just herself and many times how she wouldn’t even know how funny she was made it some parts funnier. She is just so innocent. Rose, Ferns twin has a traumatic past with her mother’s upbringing but is that all there is to it?! Must read for anyone who loves a good psychological thriller!

Thankyou Netgalley and Libro.fm for the e-arc and ALC.

Twin, Rose and Fern couldn’t be more different. Fern is quirky with rainbow and unicorn clothing, tall and slim. Rose is more formal with a rounder figure. They didn’t have a easy childhood, moving from sofa to sofa, before their mother takes an overdose and the girls are put in foster care. Rose always looks out for Fern who is sensitive to sounds, touch and other people. When they were younger, Fern did some very bad indeed and Rose has always kept this secret.
Now as adults, Rose is desperate for a baby of her own, but unable to conceive so far. Fern decides to have a baby for Rose to repay all her kindness.
The story is told from Ferns perspective but also has extracts from Roses diary. A great psychological thriller with lots of twists.
An enjoyable read.

Although this book is initially a little slow to get going, it will grab your attention and you'll be unable to put it dow. Fern and Rose are twins and their story is a dark and thrilling read.

If you enjoy a good family saga then you might want to read Sally Hepworth’s latest novel. This is my second book by this author and I was not disappointed! The Good Sister brings to life an amazing family account of manipulation and control.

This book, set in Australia, has many of the components that make a really good story: from the mood and undercurrents to the very clever writing and the experience of family secrets and troubling relationships, not forgetting the feelings of hope, desperation, responsibility and strength.

The Good Sister focuses on twin sisters, Fern and Rose and their complex relationship, having been raised by their cruel mum. Rose is married and wants to have a baby and Fern is a librarian who loves her job and her quiet well-organised life.

From the very first chapter, I found myself immediately drawn in, following the lives of the twins. This story is told from dual perspectives - Fern's in the present and Rose's diary entries that also include childhood flashbacks. Sally Hepworth has drawn great characters in The Good Sister. I loved the author’s plunge into the murkiness of the sister dynamic - sisters who love each other but couldn’t be more different.

One of my favourite aspects of this novel was the fluidity of Sally Hepworth’s writing. She managed to provide the details and twists of the plot without messing with the tone of the storyline. Each brilliantly executed chapter left me with a compelling need to read on. For me, The Good Sister was a tale of suspense but also one of deep reflection. At times, it made me dwell on my own family relationships and dynamics, especially those of the past. This novel definitely leaves you in a reflective mood.

The book culminates in a fulfilling ending. I really enjoyed it and I certainly recommend it. This novel has left an impression on me and I will be reading more from Sally Hepworth as she is an author to watch out for!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Hodder & Stoughton via NetGalley, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

The Good Sister is an unpredictable, twisty thriller with a complex twin sister relationship at the center of the story. Fern is a librarian with a very structured life who avoids social situations. Rose has always looked out for Fern and protected her even from the knowledge that their mother was a sociopath. When Fern finds out Rose wants to have a baby and is struggling, she decides she can help. But Rose starts to realize Fern might make awful choices that lead to terrible things and Fern is becoming more aware than Rose realizes. The story is told from Fern’s perspective with Rose’s told in diary form. This is one not to be missed! Sally Hepworth’s writing style is excellent. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoy twisty thrillers about complex sister relationships. The Good Sister is not to be missed!